[Vitamin disturbances in chronic renal insufficiency. II. Fat soluble vitamins]

Fat soluble vitamins (except vitamin K) are protein bounded with subsequent storage in the body. It is generally accepted that plasma level of vitamin A is increased in majority of patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) including those on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Thus, there is no need to supplement this vitamin in CRI patients (pts). Plasma level of vitamin E in CRI pts may be elevated, normal or decreased. It seems to be justified to supplement this vitamin, in spite of its normal plasma level, in case platelet aggregation is increased. Both in dialyzed and nondialyzed CRI pts a normal serum level of vitamin K has been observed. Decreased or extremely low serum level of vitamin D following the gradual loss of renal tissue is to be observed in CRI pts. This deficit is regarded as the main factor leading to the decrease in serum level of calcium, the secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone changes. Treatment with 1.25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol) proved to be most successful in alleviation of symptoms resulting from the deficit of vitamin D3 in the body. Intravenous "pulsating" administration of calcitriol results in rapid normalization of serum PTH level. Treatment with 25(OH)D3 (calcidiol) given orally 3 times a week ("pulsating" method) revealed also fairly good results in this respect. During treatment with vitamin D3 hypercalcemia tends to develop, serum alkaline phosphatase normalizes, elevated PTH serum level decreases. Vitamin D metabolites are less active than 1.25(OH)2D3 being less hypercalcemic.